Pyrotechnic Switch Fuse Isolation Dynamics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pyrotechnic switches with fuses suffer from premature wear and unnecessary energy consumption due to constant electric current flow through the fuse element, leading to overheating and potential unintended opening, especially at high voltages and currents, and difficulty in detecting unwanted fuse openings causing electrical arcing and damage.
Innovation Solution
A pyrotechnic switch design where the fuse element is isolated from connection terminals until the pyrotechnic actuator is tripped, allowing the fuse to be engaged only when necessary, with a mobile body that moves to connect the fuse element to the terminals upon actuation, ensuring the fuse is not activated until a fault occurs, thus reducing wear and energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the fuse element is arranged in parallel with the pyrotechnic part, then the switching capacity is high, but the fuse element experiences premature wear and unnecessary energy consumption due to constant current flow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the electrical connection of the fuse element conditional rather than permanent. A mobile body dynamically changes the circuit configuration: in the normal state, the fuse element is isolated from the circuit; when the pyrotechnic actuator is triggered, the mobile body moves to connect the fuse element in parallel with the first circuit portion. This dynamic reconfiguration eliminates unnecessary energy consumption while preserving high switching capacity when needed.
2Reliability
If the fuse element is constantly connected to the circuit, then it can provide immediate protection, but it causes overheating and weakens the fuse material by dilation and contraction
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile body dynamically controls the connection state of the fuse element, keeping it isolated during normal operation to prevent thermal cycling and material degradation. When protection is needed, the mobile body quickly connects the fuse element to the circuit, providing immediate protection only when required. This eliminates continuous thermal stress that causes dilation and contraction weakening.
3Loss of energy
If the fuse element is isolated from the circuit, then wear and energy consumption are reduced, but detection of unwanted opening becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a detection device that monitors the electrical continuity between the connection terminals. When the fuse element unexpectedly opens during normal operation (when it should be connected), the detection device identifies this anomaly by measuring the change in circuit continuity. This feedback mechanism enables reliable detection of unwanted fuse openings while maintaining the energy-efficient isolated state during normal operation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design provides a pyrotechnic switch with reduced fuse wear, fast reaction time, high switching capacity, and robust reliability, allowing for efficient and safe disconnection of high currents and voltages, while preventing unnecessary energy consumption and arcing issues.
Implementation Method 1
a pyrotechnic actuator, arranged to control the movement of the mobile body from the first to the second position
Implementation Method 2
a fuse element such as a fuse, arranged to interrupt an electrical current passing between the connection terminals of the first circuit section
Implementation Method 3
The body may contain air, or a material intended to absorb the thermal energy released during melting: silica powder, insulating liquid, etc.
Data Source
AI summary
Pyrotechnic switch (1) including:at least a first circuit portion (10) with two connection terminals (11a, 11b), arranged to be part of an electrical circuit,a mobile body (20), arranged to pass from a first position to a second position, and thereby cause an opening of the first circuit portion (10),a pyrotechnic actuator, arranged to control the movement of the mobile body (20) from the first to the second position,a fuse element (30) such as a fuse, arranged to interrupt an electric current passing between the terminals of the first circuit portion (11a, 11b), characterized in that the fuse element (30) is isolated from at least one of the terminals of the first circuit portion (11a, 11b) when the mobile body (20) is in the first position.